Frank O. Johnson, 95, formerly of 36 Ball Street, died Sunday, January 4, 2004, in the Lutheran Home. He was predeceased by his wives Alice (Bohlin) who died in 1970 and Bernice (Barre) Barry who died in 1997.
He leaves a son and daughter-in-law, Dr.Warren and Carol Johnson of Purcellville, Va. and Ft. Myers, Fla.; a daughter, Ginger and her husband Joseph J. Camarda, of Leicester; a step-son and his wife Dennis and Sonia Barry of Piscataway, NJ;, a step- daughter, Jeanne and her husband Peter Bedrosian of Pelham, NH; a brother, Vincent Johnson of Naples, FL; 15 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. A sister, Gertrude Culver, and a brother, C.Evan Johnson, predeceased him.
Mr. Johnson was born in Norwood, son of Claus and Anna Maria (Ostrom) Johnson. He was a graduate of Norwood High School.Mr. Johnson founded Worcester Awning Co. in 1933 and remained active until his retirement in 1998. He was a resident of Leicester for 36 years. He was active in the Industrial Fabric Assoc. and received the Master Craftsman Award in 1970. He was a member and treasurer of the Northeast Canvas Products Assoc. In 1957, he was recruited by the Army to serve as Chief Designer at Natick Labs.He was a member and past president of the Worcester Host Lions Club, joining in 1944 and had 54 years of perfect attendance. He served as Lions District Governor for Lions International and received numerous awards. He was one of the founders of Mass. Lions Eye Research and received the International President's Award and the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was a member of Spencer Lodge Af&Am, The Alethia Grotto and The Odin Club. He was Chairman of the Leicester School Committee and a member of the Vasa Order of America.
He was a member of Belmont Street Baptist Church and attended Our Lady of The Angels Church faithfully with his wife Bernice.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday 11:00 am in Belmont Street Baptist Church, 25 Belmont Street, Burial will be in All Faiths Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday 5-8 pm in NORDGREN MEMORIAL CHAPEL 300 Lincoln Street.Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Mass. Lions Eye Research/o William Murphy P.O.Box 6050 New Bedford, Ma.02742, Belmont Street Baptist Church 25 Belmont St.Worcester 01605 or Our Lady of the Angels Restoration Fund.1222 Main St. Worcester 01603